Luke 10:17-24 (New International Version)
17The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."
18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."
21At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.
22"All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him."
23Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, "Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it."
(Thanks to Bible Gateway and International Bible Society for NIV)
All of the readings today have had something to do with perseverence. Our text is about what happens when God works in unlikely ways with unlikely people and accomplishes unlikely things at unlikely times. The response is to REJOICE!
It is a wonderful thing to exercise authority over evil and to see miraculous things happen in personal and corporate ministry, but it is a greater cause for rejoicing to know that you are included in God's eternal plan.
* Rejoice that your names are written in Heaven.
* Rejoice that God has revealed His Son to you.
* Rejoice in what you see and hear as children of God.
